NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET NO. A-3257-22
CHRISTOPHER BOHNYAK,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
TOWN OF WESTFIELD, JAMES GILDEA, and GREG O'NEIL,
Defendants-Respondents. _____________________________
Argued April 16, 2024 – Decided May 6, 2024
Before Judges Rose, Smith and Perez Friscia.
On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Union County, Docket No. L-2878-20.
Thomas Henry Andrykovitz argued the cause for appellant.
Richard A. Grodeck argued the cause for respondents Town of Westfield, James Gildea, and Greg O'Neil (Piro Zinna Cifelli Paris & Genitempo, LLC, attorneys; Richard A. Grodeck, of counsel; Kristen Jones, on the brief).
PER CURIAM Plaintiff Christopher Bohnyak appeals from a May 12, 2023 Law Division
order denying reconsideration of the March 23, 2023 order, which granted
summary judgment to defendants the Town of Westfield, James Gildea, and
Greg O'Neil dismissing with prejudice Bohnyak's claims under the New Jersey
Law Against Discrimination (LAD), N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 to -50, and the
Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), N.J.S.A. 34:19-1 to -8. We
affirm.
I.
Bohnyak alleges that during the COVID-19 pandemic, defendants
discriminated against him based on his cardiac disability. He specifically
maintains defendants refused to provide reasonable accommodations, including
medical-grade personal protective equipment (PPE), to clean Westfield's public
park restrooms. Further, he alleges he was suspended and terminated in
retaliation for "blowing the whistle" on defendants' unlawful discrimination.
Bohnyak began employment with Westfield's Department of Public
Works (DPW) in February 2015. In 2017, he was diagnosed with a cardiac
condition. O'Neil, the DPW Superintendent, supervised Bohnyak and all DPW
employees. Gildea, Westfield's Town Administrator, managed operations and
human resource matters. Pursuant to Westfield's Personnel Policy manual,
A-3257-22 2 Gildea was responsible for investigating and responding to employees' requests
for a reasonable accommodation.
Westfield and Local Union N. 496 were parties to a collective bargaining
agreement (CBA). The agreement outlined the grievance process for employees'
complaints and governed discipline, stating: "The Town will not discharge,
discipline or suspend any employee without just cause." Further, it required
arbitration of unsettled grievances.
In April 2020, early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Bohnyak self-isolated,
taking personal days. After returning to work in May, he was assigned to clean
litter. Bohnyak provided the DPW a doctor's note sometime between mid-May
and early June. The complete note, dated April 20, stated:
Chris Bohnyak is my patient. He has a cardiac condition and if he cannot adequately perform social distancing during his work and receive adequate [PPE,] he must be isolated at home.
If further information is needed, please do not hesitate to call.
[(Emphasis added).]
On May 27, 2020, Westfield's mayor announced that on June 1, three park
restrooms would "reopen with an enhanced cleaning and sanitizing schedule."
The DPW had the responsibility to clean the restrooms twice daily. Richard
A-3257-22 3 Eubanks, Bohnyak's direct supervisor, selected Bohnyak for the restroom
assignment, reasoning "with his previous experience . . . he would be a perfect
person." Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bohnyak had occasionally cleaned
the restrooms.
On May 28, 2020, Eubanks informed Bohnyak of his restroom
reassignment. Bohnyak expressed concerns, reminding Eubanks of his cardiac
condition, but cleaned the restrooms. The DPW provided Bohnyak with
disinfectants and available PPE, including a cloth mask, rubber gloves, and
goggles. He was permitted to clean in isolation with the door open. Bohnyak
advised Eubanks he was not comfortable and required medical-grade PPE. He
stated, "if I have to do this, I would like . . . an N95 mask" and "a Tyvek suit."1
Eubanks referred the request to O'Neil as medical-grade PPE was unavailable.
O'Neil explained to Bohnyak that under State guidelines, the provided masks
and gloves were appropriate. The next day, Bohnyak relayed to O'Neil he was
still "not comfortable" "because of [his] heart." He requested an N95 mask,
Tyvek suit, and face shield be provided each time he cleaned a restroom,
amounting to thirty masks and suits per week. Bohnyak's union representative,
1 Tyvek suits "prevent[] hazardous materials . . . from passing through the material." What is Tyvkek, Dupont, https://www.dupont.com/what-is- tyvek.html (last visited Apr. 30, 2024). A-3257-22 4 Michael Broderick, requested O'Neil "get somebody with less seniority, without
a heart condition, to do the job."
On June 1, 2020, Bohnyak returned to work, refusing the assignment
without medical-grade PPE. Eubanks contacted O'Neil to discuss Bohnyak's
request and the DPW's inability to provide the PPE. After O'Neil advised, "We
don't have to offer you that," Bohnyak again refused the assignment, and O'Neil
issued a one-day suspension without pay. O'Neil sent a memorandum to Gildea,
advising Bohnyak was "suspended for refusing to clean the municipal
lavatories," which Gildea approved.
The same morning, Bohnyak emailed Gildea, O'Neil, and Westfield's
mayor to "memorialize [his] suspension from work" and request
accommodations, stating in part:
I am currently under a doctor[']s care for which I provided DPW Supt. Greg O'Neil with doctor's notes describing my medical condition. . . .
I am not refusing to work[,] however, the work for which I have been recently assigned, cleaning park bathrooms, exacerbates my underlying medical condition with regards to the C[OVID]-19 virus and it puts me at greater risk.
A-3257-22 5 Bohnyak also filed a union grievance claiming he was "put in unsafe work
conditions" despite "provid[ing] a d[octo]r['s] note to management," and was
"scared for [his] life."
After receiving the email, O'Neil and Gildea discussed Bohnyak's work
assignment and refusal. O'Neil informed Gildea that due to Bohnyak's previous
issues with employees and supervisors in other DPW divisions, another
assignment was unavailable; and based on the doctor's note, the restroom
assignment was appropriate.
On June 2, 2020, Bohnyak returned to work, continuing his refusal
without medical-grade PPE. O'Neil issued a three-day suspension. On June 5,
O'Neil suspended Bohnyak indefinitely for continuing to refuse the assignment.
O'Neil sent Gildea a memorandum, stating: "The above referenced employee
has been suspended indefinitely due to refusal to clean the public lavatories."
Gildea approved the suspension.
On July 7, 2020, Westfield conducted a meeting concerning Bohnyak's
grievance, which Broderick attended. Bohnyak surreptitiously recorded the
meeting. He was asked if he would return to work if one N95 mask with filters
could be obtained, but he made clear that he required the medical-grade PPE
"[d]octors and nurses [we]re getting." After the meeting, Gildea issued a
A-3257-22 6 memorandum summarizing that "the parties discussed the safety of the
assignment." He noted Bohnyak received "the same PPE provided to all other
DPW employees," which complied with the doctor's note and the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Further, Gildea memorialized
Bohnyak's request for "two sets of medical-grade PPE . . . including an N95
mask, a face shield, gloves, and surgical gowns," was "unreasonable" because
such PPE was "reserved for first responders."
Westfield's Police Chief, Christopher Battiloro, corroborated Gildea's
PPE assertions, testifying the police department was "appropriately equipped,"
but did "not have an abundance" of PPE. Similarly, Broderick acknowledged
towns "could not get N95 masks" or "the suits" because "they were not
available." Broderick further conceded Bohnyak's request for medical-grade
PPE was unattainable "because everything was geared to either [emergency
medical services] responders, the police and/or . . . hospital[s]."
On August 26, Bohnyak received Westfield's letter advising his failure to
return to work by September 4 would result in termination. On September 4,
Bohnyak returned with a second doctor's note stating he had "an elevated risk of
complications if he were to contract COVID[-]19" and requesting "adequate
[PPE]." Bohnyak again refused the restroom assignment and was suspended.
A-3257-22 7 Thereafter, Gildea provided Bohnyak a termination letter, stating because
Bohnyak continued to refuse the assignment with the "requisite" PPE, his
employment was terminated, effective immediately. The same day, Bohnyak
filed a seven-count complaint alleging LAD and CEPA violations against
Westfield and O'Neil.
On November 16, the parties attended a CBA grievance arbitration
hearing. The arbitrator found Westfield had just cause to suspend Bohnyak.
The arbitrator found he failed to establish "a factual, objective or lawful basis
for [his] refusal to perform an appropriate work assignment" and the April 20
doctor's note "d[id] not require the [PPE]" Bohnyak requested.
On May 18, 2022, Bohnyak filed an eight-count amended complaint
adding Gildea as a defendant. The complaint averred defendants committed
disability discrimination in violation of the LAD by: failing to accommodate,
declining to engage in an interactive process, and retaliating against him. He
further alleged CEPA violations, arguing he suffered adverse employment
actions after reporting defendants' discrimination.
On July 29, after the close of discovery, defendants moved for summary
judgment. Following oral argument, the motion judge issued an order and
accompanying statement of reasons granting summary judgment and dismissing
A-3257-22 8 the amended complaint with prejudice. In denying Bohnyak's motion for
reconsideration, the judge acknowledged he incorrectly found the arbitration
decision estopped Bohnyak from raising certain claims, but separately
determined Bohnyak failed to demonstrate defendants violated the LAD. He
found, "[d]efendants did not fail to reasonably accommodate []or engage in the
interactive process in good faith." Regarding the retaliation claim, the judge
found there was no causal connection between the June 1 email and any adverse
consequence because "the protected activity . . . occurred after the alleged
retaliation." Further, the judge found the CEPA claim failed because no material
fact demonstrated a "causal connection between the protected activities and his
suspensions and termination." Regarding reconsideration, the judge found
Bohnyak failed to demonstrate the decision was "palpably incorrect."
On appeal, Bohnyak argues material issues of fact exist and the judge
erroneously dismissed: the LAD claims for failure to provide reasonable
accommodation, failure to engage in an interactive process, and retaliation; and
the CEPA count.
II.
We review a trial court's summary judgment decision "de novo and apply
the same legal standard" under Rule 4:46-2(c). See Crisitello v. St. Theresa
A-3257-22 9 Sch., 255 N.J. 200, 218 (2023). "To decide whether a genuine issue of material
fact exists, the trial court must 'draw[] all legitimate inferences from the facts in
favor of the non-moving party.'" Friedman v. Martinez, 242 N.J. 449, 472
(2020) (alteration in original) (quoting Globe Motor Co. v. Igdalev, 225 N.J.
469, 480 (2016)). A court must determine "whether the evidence presents a
sufficient disagreement to require submission to a jury or whether it is so one -
sided that one party must prevail as a matter of law." DepoLink Ct. Reporting
& Litig. Support Servs. v. Rochman, 430 N.J. Super. 325, 333 (App. Div. 2013)
(quoting Liberty Surplus Ins. Corp. v. Nowell Amorso, P.A., 189 N.J. 436, 445-
46 (2007)). "A dispute of material fact is 'genuine only if, considering the
burden of persuasion at trial, the evidence submitted by the parties on the
motion, together with all legitimate inferences therefrom favoring the non -
moving party, would require submission of the issue to the trier of fact.'" Gayles
by Gayles v. Sky Zone Trampoline Park, 468 N.J. Super. 17, 22 (App. Div.
2021) (quoting Grande v. Saint Clare's Health Sys., 230 N.J. 1, 24 (2017)).
We review orders denying reconsideration for abuse of discretion.
Granata v. Broderick, 446 N.J. Super. 449, 468 (App. Div. 2016). A court
abuses its discretion "when a decision is 'made without a rational explanation,
inexplicably departed from established policies, or rested on an impermissible
A-3257-22 10 basis.'" Pitney Bowes Bank, Inc. v. ABC Caging Fulfillment, 400 N.J. Super.
378, 382 (App. Div. 2015) (quoting Flagg v. Essex Cnty. Prosecutor, 171 N.J.
561, 571 (2002)).
A. LAD
The LAD's remedial "purpose is 'nothing less than the eradication "of the
cancer of discrimination."'" C.V. ex rel. C.V. v. Waterford Twp. Bd. of Educ.,
255 N.J. 289, 306-07 (2023) (quoting Lehmann v. Toys 'R' Us, Inc., 132 N.J.
587, 600 (1993)). It prohibits unlawful employment practices and
discrimination "based on race, religion, sex, or other protected status[] that
creates a hostile work environment." Cutler v. Dorn, 196 N.J. 419, 430 (2008);
see also N.J.S.A. 10:5-12(a). "There is no single prima facie case that applies
to all discrimination claims. Instead, the elements of the prima facie claim vary
depending upon the particular cause of action." Victor v. State, 203 N.J. 383,
408 (2010).
The LAD expressly "does not prevent adverse employment treatment
premised upon the employee's, or prospective employee's, conduct." Barbera v.
Di Martino, 305 N.J. Super. 617, 633 (App. Div. 1997). "Put another way, the
LAD acknowledges the authority of employers to manage their own
businesses." Zive v. Stanley Roberts, Inc., 182 N.J. 436, 446 (2005). "The LAD
A-3257-22 11 was and is intended as a shield to protect employees from the wrongful acts of
their employers, and not as a sword to be wielded by a savvy employee against
his employer." Carmona v. Resorts Int'l Hotel, Inc., 189 N.J. 354, 373 (2007).
i. Failure to Accommodate and Engage in the Interactive Process
"Although the LAD statute does not specifically address failure to
accommodate, 'our courts have uniformly held that the [LAD] nevertheless
requires an employer to reasonably accommodate an employee's handicap.'"
Royster v. N.J. State Police, 227 N.J. 482, 499 (2017) (alternation in original)
(quoting Potente v. County of Hudson, 187 N.J. 103, 110 (2006)). Our Supreme
Court has recognized "the obligation of employers to reasonably accommodate
an employee with a disability." Richter v. Oakland Bd. of Educ., 246 N.J. 507,
530 (2021) (citing N.J.A.C. 13:13-2.5(b)).
To establish an LAD claim for failure to accommodate:
a plaintiff must demonstrate he or she (1) "qualifies as an individual with a disability, or [ ] is perceived as having a disability, as that has been defined by statute"; (2) "is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job, or was performing those essential functions, either with or without reasonable accommodations"; and (3) that defendant "failed to reasonably accommodate [his or her] disabilities."
[Royster, 227 N.J. at 500 (alternations in original) (quoting Victor, 203 N.J. at 410).]
A-3257-22 12 N.J.A.C. 13:13-2.5 "codif[ies] [an] employers' duty to reasonably
accommodate persons with disabilities in the workplace." Caraballo v. City of
Jersey City Police Dep't, 237 N.J. 255, 267 (2019). Specifically,
N.J.A.C. 13:13-2.5(b) provides "[a]n employer must make a reasonable
accommodation to the limitations of an employee . . . who is a person with a
disability, unless the employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would
impose an undue hardship." Reasonable accommodations include "making
facilities . . . readily accessible"; restructuring jobs, such as providing "part-time
or modified work schedules or leaves of absence"; the "[a]cquisition or
modification of equipment or devices"; and "[j]ob reassignment[s]." N.J.A.C.
13:13-2.5(b)(1). Employers are to "consider the possibility of reasonable
accommodation before firing, demoting or refusing to hire or promote a person
with a disability on the grounds that his or her disability precludes job
performance." N.J.A.C. 13:13-2.5(b)(2).
The LAD does not require employers to provide an accommodation that
would pose an undue burden. Richter, 246 N.J. at 524. Under N.J.A.C. 13:13-
2.5(b)(3), the factors determining whether an accommodation presents an undue
hardship on the employer include: "[t]he overall size of the employer's business
with . . . the number of employees"; "type of the employer's operations . . .
A-3257-22 13 workforce"; "nature and cost of the accommodation needed"; and "[t]he extent
to which accommodation would involve waiver of an essential requirement of a
job." Further, in determining the type of reasonable accommodation required,
an "employer must initiate an informal interactive process with the
employee. This process must identify the potential reasonable accommodations
that could be adopted to overcome the employee's precise limitations resulting
from the disability." Tyan v. Vicinage 13 of Superior Ct. of N.J., 351 N.J. Super.
385, 400 (App. Div. 2002) (citation omitted) (citing 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(o)(3)).
"[A]n employer cannot expect an employee to read its mind and know that he or
she must specifically say 'I want reasonable accommodation.'" Ibid. (quoting
Taylor v. Phoenixville Sch. Dist., 184 F.3d 296, 313 (3d Cir. 1999)). After a
request for an accommodation is "made, 'both parties have a duty to assist in the
search for appropriate reasonable accommodation and to act in good
faith.'" Ibid. (quoting Taylor, 184 F.3d at 312).
An employer fails to engage in the interactive process if: "(1) the
employer knew about the employee's disability; (2) the employee requested
accommodations . . . ; (3) the employer did not make a good faith effort to assist
the employee in seeking accommodations"; and (4) but for "the employer's lack
of good faith," it could have "reasonably accommodated" the employee. Id. at
A-3257-22 14 400-01. An employer is lawfully permitted, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:13-
2.8(a), "to take any action otherwise prohibited . . . where it can reasonably be
determined that an applicant or employee, as a result of the individual's
disability, cannot perform the essential functions of the job even with reasonable
accommodation."
We begin by acknowledging that Bohnyak's cardiac condition
unquestionably constituted a disability under the LAD. Therefore, defendants
were required to provide a reasonable accommodation and engage in an
interactive process in good faith.
Bohnyak contends the judge erroneously granted summary judgment
because material facts existed demonstrating defendants violated the LAD by
failing to: accommodate his disability by providing his requested medical-grade
PPE or reassignment; and engage in an interactive process. We disagree.
Eubanks selected Bohnyak for the restroom assignment knowing he had
previously performed the job, had a disability, and would be provided available
PPE. Bohnyak only requested the accommodation of medical-grade PPE and an
alternative position after he was reassigned to the restrooms. In support of the
accommodation, Bohnyak submitted a three-sentence doctor's note, dated weeks
earlier, stating his cardiac condition required "social distancing . . . and
A-3257-22 15 adequate" PPE. By allowing Bohnyak to clean the restrooms in isolation,
defendants accommodated Bohnyak's social distancing request.
Notably, Bohnyak has not posited a material fact disputing the DPW's
available PPE was not "adequate PPE" for the assignment and his disability.
Bohnyak provided no medical documentation defining "adequate" PPE and the
doctor's notes did not specify medical-grade PPE was necessary. No facts in the
record demonstrate medical-grade PPE was available to anyone other than first
responders. Further, O'Neil's deposition testimony that no alternative DPW
division assignments were available because of Bohnyak's prior issues with
supervisors and staff was unrefuted. Mere statements that a factual dispute
exists are insufficient to defeat summary judgment. See Brill v. Guardian Life
Ins. Co. of Am., 142 N.J. 520, 529 (1995) (finding insubstantial arguments based
on assumptions or speculation are not enough to overcome summary judgment).
We concur with the judge's finding that Bohnyak demonstrated no
material facts to dispute defendants acted in good faith by engaging in
discussions regarding his requested medical-grade PPE and advising that the
thirty N95 masks and Tyvek suits per week were unavailable. As required by
N.J.A.C. 13:13-2.5(b)(1), defendants considered the "[a]cquisition or
modification of equipment" to accommodate Bohnyak's request. Bohnyak's
A-3257-22 16 argument the DPW should have sought PPE from Westfield's first responders is
unavailing. As acknowledged by Bohnyak's union representative, N95 masks
and Tyvek suits were "definitely not available." While DPW workers
unquestionably contributed during the COVID-19 pandemic, they were not
considered first responders and therefore were not provided medical-grade PPE.
Bohnyak's newly raised assertion that surgical masks were not provided is also
unavailing as he unequivocally "refuse[d] the job" without "N95 masks, [a]
Tyvek suit, and a face shield each time [he] cleaned a bathroom."
An employer considering a reasonable accommodation need not
"acquiesce to the disabled employee's requests for certain benefits." Victor, 203
N.J. at 423 (quoting Raspa v. Off. of Sheriff of Gloucester, 191 N.J. 323, 339
(2007)). The LAD only requires an employer undertake reasonable
accommodation "designed to make certain changes in the work environment or
structuring of employees' time that will allow disabled employees to remain at
work without their physical handicaps impeding their job performance."
Caraballo, 237 N.J. at 268 (quoting Jones v. Aluminum Shapes, Inc., 339 N.J.
Super. 412, 426-27 (App. Div. 2001)).
We also reject Bohnyak's argument that a jury had to consider: if his
requests were reasonable; if the provided PPE was "adequate"; and what the
A-3257-22 17 doctor intended by "adequate PPE." While an expert is generally unnecessary
to support an LAD claim when a disability is established, we have "h[e]ld that
where the extent of a[n] LAD claimant's disability is relevant to the
reasonableness of the accommodations offered or demanded, the claimant must
establish it by expert medical evidence." Wojtkowiak v. N.J. Motor Vehicle
Comm'n, 439 N.J. Super. 1, 7 (App. Div. 2015).
Additionally, our Supreme Court has held "a plaintiff's disability can be
effectively addressed by [a treating physician's] testimony limited to the
plaintiff's diagnosis and treatment." Delvecchio v. Township of Bridgewater,
224 N.J. 559, 580 (2016). Bohnyak has failed to proffer any medical evidence
regarding the necessity for medical-grade PPE and other necessary
accommodations. Therefore, we discern no reason to disturb the judge's
determination that Bohnyak failed to demonstrate a factual dispute regarding the
reasonableness of Bohnyak's requests and defendants' accommodation.
We only briefly comment on Bohnyak's argument that because defendants
"made no effort to contact" his doctor, a failure to accommodate was established.
Bohnyak has not cited, nor has our research revealed, any authority supporting
an independent obligation to contact his doctor to "clarif[y] . . . what 'adequate'
meant." While defendants were required to and did engage in an interactive
A-3257-22 18 process, they had no obligation to unilaterally contact his doctor to ascertain his
medical needs.
We next consider Bohnyak's argument defendants failed to engage in an
interactive process. The record demonstrates defendants sufficiently engaged
with Bohnyak through multiple interactions after he requested accommodations
and provided the first doctor's note. Defendants discussed the possibility of
other placements, conducted an in-person grievance meeting, and provided
Bohnyak three months to return to work by September 4 or be terminated.
Bohnyak returned in September, refused the assignment, and provided a second
doctor's note again requesting "adequate" PPE without further explanation,
which resulted in termination. Bohnyak had a reciprocal obligation to act in
good faith. See Tyan, 351 N.J. Super. at 400. We discern no reason to disturb
the judge's decision granting summary judgment on Bohnyak's LAD claims for
failure to provide a reasonable accommodation and engage in the interactive
process.
ii. Retaliation
We also are satisfied Bohnyak failed to demonstrate a prima facie case of
retaliation under the LAD. The judge found "the undisputed facts demonstrate
[Bohnyak] was not suspended and terminated due specifically to his June 1,
A-3257-22 19 2020 email, but because he refused to perform his assigned task, and with all
inferences drawn to [Bohnyak] there is no showing same was simply pretext."
We agree.
To establish an LAD claim for retaliation, a plaintiff must show: "(1) [he]
was in a protected class; (2) [he] engaged in [a] protected activity known to the
employer; (3) [he] was thereafter subjected to an adverse employment
consequence; and (4) that there is a causal link between the protected activity
and the adverse employment consequence." Victor, 203 N.J. at 409. If the
plaintiff establishes a prima facie case of retaliation, the burden shifts to the
defendant to articulate a legitimate reason for the employment decision. See
Tisby v. Camden Cnty. Corr. Facility, 448 N.J. Super. 241, 248 (App. Div.
2017). If the defendant does so, the burden shifts back, and the plaintiff must
then prove the employer's proffered explanation is merely a pretext for
discrimination. Ibid.
It is uncontroverted Bohnyak's first suspension for refusing the restroom
assignment occurred before he sent the protected email. The record supports the
judge's conclusion that each adverse employment action thereafter occurred
because Bohnyak continuously refused the assignment without thirty N95 masks
and Tyvek suits weekly. As we have already stated, prior to the COVID-19
A-3257-22 20 pandemic, Bohnyak had been assigned to the clean the restrooms. It was only
upon Bohnyak's reassignment to the restrooms that he provided a medical note
requesting the accommodation of "adequate PPE" and social distancing. While
engaging in an interactive process, defendants consistently maintained
Bohnyak's refusal would result in adverse employment actions. Contrary to
Bohnyak's assertions, the record yields insufficient facts supporting a causal link
between his email alleging disability discrimination and defendants'
employment actions taken. See Young v. Hobart West Grp., 385 N.J. Super.
448, 467 (App. Div. 2005) ("Where the timing is not 'unusually suggestive ,' the
plaintiff must set forth other evidence to establish the causal link.").
We conclude Bohnyak failed to materially dispute that defendants
engaged in non-discriminatory, progressive disciplinary measures, which were
in response to his continued refusal to complete his assignment. See Nardello
v. Township of Voorhees, 377 N.J. Super. 428, 434 (App. Div. 2005) ("[N]ot
every employment action that makes an employee unhappy constitutes 'an
actionable adverse action.'" (quoting Cokus v. Bristol Myers Squibb Co., 362
N.J. Super. 366, 378 (Law Div. 2002))). We discern no reason to disturb the
judge's determination that summary judgment was warranted on the LAD
retaliation claim.
A-3257-22 21 B. CEPA
We also reject Bohnyak's CEPA arguments that sufficient facts were
established to show: a causal connection between his protected email and
subsequent suspensions and termination; and the adverse employment actions
were pretext, rather than repercussions for his continuous refusal "to perform
the duties of [his] position."
"The Legislature enacted CEPA to 'protect and encourage employees to
report illegal or unethical workplace activities and to discourage public and
private sector employers from engaging in such conduct.'" Allen v. Cape May
Cnty., 246 N.J. 275, 289 (2021) (quoting Dzwonar v. McDevitt, 177 N.J. 451,
461 (2003)). CEPA prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who
perform a whistleblowing activity. N.J.S.A. 34:19-3.
To establish a prima facie CEPA claim, a plaintiff must demonstrate:
(1) he or she reasonably believed that his or her employer's conduct was violating either a law, rule, or regulation promulgated pursuant to law, or a clear mandate of public policy; (2) he or she performed a "whistle-blowing" activity described in N.J.S.A. 34:19- 3(c); (3) an adverse employment action was taken against him or her; and (4) a causal connection exists between the whistleblowing activity and the adverse employment action.
A-3257-22 22 [Allen, 246 N.J. at 290 (quoting Dzwonar, 177 N.J. at 462).]
At issue is whether Bohnyak satisfied a prima facie showing under the
fourth CEPA element. To satisfy the fourth CEPA element, a plaintiff must
demonstrate "a causal connection . . . between the whistle-blowing activity and
the adverse employment action." Dzwonar, 177 N.J. at 462. A causal
connection "can be satisfied by inferences that the trier of fact may reasonably
draw based on circumstances surrounding the employment action." Maimone v.
City of Atl. City, 188 N.J. 221, 237 (2006). "The temporal proximity of
employee conduct protected by CEPA and an adverse employment action is one
circumstance that may support an inference of a causal connection." Ibid. Once
a plaintiff establishes a prima facie case that the employer took an adverse
employment action, "the burden of persuasion is shifted to the employer to rebut
the presumption of discrimination by articulating some legitimate
nondiscriminatory reason for the adverse employment action." Allen, 246 N.J.
at 290-91 (quoting Kolb v. Burns, 320 N.J. Super. 467, 478 (App. Div. 1999)).
Once an employer proffers a legitimate reason, "plaintiff has the ultimate burden
of proving that the employer's proffered reasons were a pretext for the
discriminatory action taken by the employer." Id. at 291 (quoting Kolb, 320
N.J. Super. at 478).
A-3257-22 23 Bohnyak argues a causal connection between his protected activity and
defendants' adverse employment actions is established by the temporal
proximity connecting his email and his second assignment refusal suspension.
The record belies this contention. As we similarly observed, and need not
repeat, in discussing Bohnyak's retaliation claim, Bohnyak's first suspension for
refusing to perform the assignment was before his protected email and after he
was notified his requested medical-grade PPE was unavailable. "[A]ccepting all
[Bohnyak's] allegations as true," the judge correctly found he "did not
demonstrate [a] causal connection between the protected activities and his
suspensions and retaliations." Mere assertions of a causal connection are
insufficient to overcome summary judgment. See Dickson v. Cmty. Bus Lines,
Inc., 458 N.J. Super. 522, 533 (App. Div. 2019) ("'[C]onclusory and self-serving
assertions by one of the parties are insufficient to overcome' a motion for
summary judgment." (quoting Puder v. Buechel, 183 N.J. 428, 440-41 (2005))).
Bohnyak next argues defendants' proffered reason for their adverse
employment actions—his suspension and termination for refusing to perform an
essential job function while provided the available "requisite PPE" and social
distancing—was pretext for disability discrimination. We observe Bohnyak's
email acknowledged he was "memorializ[ing] [his] suspension from work," for
A-3257-22 24 refusing to clean the restrooms and he continuously refused to perform the
assignment. Bohnyak has failed to sufficiently refute that no other assignments
were available because of his prior issues with DPW supervisors and staff. We
observe it is Bohnyak's burden to demonstrate defendants' proffered reason was
a pretext. Accepting all reasonable inferences in favor of Bohnyak, the record
amply supports the judge's conclusion that he failed to factually dispute
defendants' nondiscriminatory reason for the adverse employment actions was
not in violation of CEPA. Thus, summary judgment on his CEPA claim was
appropriate.
Affirmed.
A-3257-22 25